Introduction
CHARLES H. FELTON was born in Massachusetts on August 24, 1855 to Matias and Lurene Bent Felton. His family came to New Jersey after the Civil War, first settling in Vineland. The Feltons first appear in Camden Directories in 1869. The 1869 and 1870 City Directories shows the Feltons at 314 Friends Avenue in Camden. By June 20, 1870, when the Census was enumerated, the Felton family, which included younger brother Ernest and older brother George G. Felton, had moved to Camden’s South Ward. They are listed at 301 Pine Street in 1872. Charles H. Felton is listed in 1874 and 1876 as a printer living at 716 South 3rd Street. By 1878 Charles H. Felton had gone into the real estate and insurance business, with an office at 203 Federal Street. He lived with his parents and brother Ernest at 506 Federal Street, where his father had a grocery store. By 1878 his father had retired and the family had moved to 514 Federal Street, where they stayed into 1881. The 1882 Directory shows Charles H. Felton at 528 Stevens Street. His brother George G. Felton, who had moved to Burlington, had come back to the city of Camden and was working as a clerk for one Eastlack family’s grocery businesses. Charles H. Felton and family lived at 528 Stevens Street into 1885. By the time the 1887–1888 Directory was compiled, they had moved to 418 Benson Street.
Charles H. Felton’s real estate business was quite successful. It is probable that he developed the eight houses on Felton Street, which ran south from Clinton Street between South 6th and South 7th Streets and Clarion alley in the 1880s. By 1887 brother George G. Felton had also come into the firm. Harry L. Humphreys had been employed as a bookkeeper in 1883; he would stay with Charles H. Felton’s real estate business for 45 years.
Charles H. Felton died in Camden on November 23, 1887. He was survived by his mother, his wife, May I. Felton, sons Charles H. Jr. and Alvan S., daughter Edith L., and his brother, George G. Felton. His wife and brother carried the real estate business on together until 1893 when George G. Felton went into business for himself. Mrs. Felton remained active in the real estate business until 1925, and the firm continued to operate as late as the fall of 1928.
The Bent Family In America
The Bent Family In America — Felton family entry.
1876 City Directory
1876 Camden City Directory listing for Charles H. Felton.
Petition to the Camden City Council
Camden Post —
Lurene Felton – George G. Felton
Death of Charles H. Felton
Camden Post —
Death of Charles H. Felton.
Charles H. Felton, a prominent real estate agent and conveyancer, doing business at 203 Federal street, died Wednesday after a protracted illness, at his residence, on Benson street. He was one of the best known and most trusted men in Camden, and was prominently associated with several secret social organizations. He was secretary of three building and loan associations, and transacted a great deal of private real estate business for many of the old citizens of this city.
He was a leading member of the Sixth Regiment Band, and wrote much of its music. He was also one of the organizers and founders of Unity Church, on Benson street, above Fourth, and was greatly interested in the church enterprise from its infancy. His death is thought to have resulted indirectly from overwork.
Chas. H. Felton’s Funeral
Camden Post —
Chas. H. Felton’s Funeral.
The funeral of the late Charles H. Felton took place this afternoon from his late residence, 418 Benson street. The casket was covered with black and was mounted in silver. The plate on the lid bore the following:
Charles H. Felton, Born Aug. 24th, 1855. Died Nov. 23d, 1887.
Members of the following lodges attended: Association Council, O. C. F., Provident Lodge, No. 4. A. O. U. W., Senatus Lodge, No. 76. I. O. O. F., also the members of Jenning’s Sixth Regiment Band. Rev. N. A. Haskell, pastor of the Unity church, preached the sermon.
The pall-bearers were: Hon. E. A. Armstrong, Messrs. Jonathan Duffield, Robert Patton, Jos. Jenning, Harry Fortiner, George Leatherwhite, G. J. Mines and Mahlon Ivins.
Felton Buried at Harleigh Cemetery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charles H. Felton, the prominent real estate agent of Camden, who died last Wednesday, was buried from his late residence, No. 418 Benson street, on Saturday. The funeral was attended by Association Council, O. C. F.; Provident Lodge, No. 4; A. O. U. W., Senatus Lodge, No. 76; I. O. O. F. and Jenning’s Sixth Regiment Band. The body was laid at rest in the Harleigh Cemetery.
Order of Chosen Friends.
Camden Daily Courier —
Order of Chosen Friends.
On the 18th day of February Association Council, No. 6, O. C. F., cancelled their obligation to the amount of $3000 with Mrs. Charles H. Felton, whose husband was a member of the order. Papers are also on hand awaiting official action in the case of William H. Wheaton, whose widow still has a claim of $1500, the family having already some four years ago received $1500 of a $3000 certificate through the permanent disability of Mr. Wheaton. This will make a total of $15,500 paid directly to members of Association Council, or their beneficiaries, since June of 1882.
Obituary
Camden Post —
Lurene Felton – George G. Felton
Mrs. M. I. Felton Dies; Widow of Realty Man
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. M. I. Felton Dies; Widow of Realty Man
Mrs. May I. Felton, 80, widow of Charles H. Felton, who for many years was engaged in the real estate business in Camden, died in Walpole, Mass., yesterday of a heart attack. She was visiting there at the home of Mrs. John B. Holm for a vacation. Mrs. Felton lived at 221 Linden street.
For many years Mrs. Felton was active in the Camden Day Nursery. She was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. She was born in Worcester, Mass.
Her husband was in the real estate business with Harry L. Humphries at 214 Federal street for a number of years, and then conducted the real estate business under his own name at 513 Market street.
Mrs. Felton is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J. Harry Ives, of Louisville, Ky., and two sons, Charles H. Felton, of New Orleans, and Alvan Felton, of Camden.
Arrangements for the funeral services, which will be held in the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 408 Cooper street, have not been completed.
Charles H. Felton
Camden Courier-Post —
Charles H. Felton
Charles H. Felton
Grave-side services for Charles Hudson Felton, 78, 210 S. Walnut st., West Chester, Pa., were Thursday in Harleigh Cemetery.
Mr. Felton died Monday at his home. He was born in Camden and traveled extensively before settling in West Chester in 1960.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose.
Surviving are his wife Harriet; a brother Alvan of Camden; a sister, Mrs. Edith Ives of Jackson, Miss.